Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15152, Reuben Godfrey, Conn. Sea Service Navy

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Sea Service Navy
Godfrey, Reuben
S. 15152
Carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 31,391
Reuben Godfrey
London P.O. in the State of Conn.
as a Mariner in the Marien V Cromwell } commanded
Captain Coit of the ★ in the Mays, } commanded
for 6 months Comm. Sea Service of Navy Records completed Feb. 11, 1842.
scribed on the Roll of Connecticut the rate of 24 Dollars — Cents per annum, commence on the 24th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24, day of April 1838 and sent to Hon. S. Ingraham, H. R.
as to the 14th of March '38 168.00 ant. allowance ending 4. Sep. " 12.00
$ 180.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
E. 2. Vol. 4 Page 15

Aug. 29, 1841

State of Connecticut, County of New London, on this 22 nd day of August 1836, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich in said State County, in open Court now in session; Reuben Telfrey a resident of the town of Norwich in said Probate District in said County and State, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer, and served as herein stated. That on or about the 8 th day of July 1776, at Nantucket in the State of Massa- chusetts, he was enlisted by Lieut William Boit as a seaman, to serve on board the Sloop of War Oliver Cromwell of twenty guns, a State vessel, belonging to the State of Connecticut and in the service of the United States, and then lying in the harbour of New London in the State of Connecticut and commanded by said Lieut William Boit, he entered and served on board said Sloop of War, the Oliver Cromwell for the term of ten months and eleven days under said Lieut William Boit, when said Lieut Boit was discharged from the command of said ship and Lieut Seth Harden was appointed to the command of the said ship, that he the Declarant served on board said ship after Lieut Seth Harden took the command of her one month, as Steward's mate. Lieut Malt- by was the 1 st Lt of the Oliver Cromwell, John Chapman 2 d and John Prentice 3 d Lt. The Ship did not go to sea while the Declarant served on board of her, she was fitting for sea when he en- tered on board of her, and when ready for sea, she attempted to get to sea, but owing to her being over shored, she capsized before she got to

& before she next mounted point, she run- -ned into the harbour of New London. Her masts were taken out, repaired, and the ship was refitted for sea, but before she sailed under the command Capt. Gardner, the declarant left her and he declares that he served in the service of the United States on board said ship Oliver Cromwell, as above stated eleven months and eleven days. And the Declarant further states that at said New London in the year A.D. 1877 the month he cannot state with accuracy, Nathl Shaw Esq. enlisted him to serve on board of the frigate United States frigate Rolle then lying at Boston, he went to Boston for the purpose of going to sea in the Rolle, but when he arrived at Boston the Rolle not being ready for sea, he went  entered on board the United States Frigate Warren of thirty two guns, commanded by Capt. John Hopkins. Capt. Hopkins was first Lieut. of the ship, Joshua Sampson was sailing master of the Warren, he went to sea in the Warren in the service of the United States, he served on board the Warren as a seaman, as a topman, for the term of seven months, he made two cruises in her, on the Grand banks and South shoals, she took several prizes while he served on board her - Capt. Smith Vail was on board the Warren, I recollected him when we conversed last Saturday, tho' he did not recollect me, I being stationed in the main top and not having much acquaintance on deck of the ship in the ship but one cruise; he has no documentary evidence, and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, except those whose affida- -vits are hereto annexed, who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State

To the first interrogatory propounded by the law he answers that he was born at Nantucket in the State of Massachusetts on the 7 th Octo 1757 according to his best recollection & belief. to the second he answers that he has no record of his age and never had any. to the 3 d he answers that he was living at Nantucket when first called into service, he lived at New London, Conn. when he enlisted to go on board the Belle France where he married while he served on board the Oliver Cromwell, soon after the close of the war of the Revolution he moved from New London to Hebron, in Conn. about thirty miles from N. London, where he lived till about four years since, when he moved to Norwich where he now lives. to the 4 th he answers that his answer is contained in his declaration. to the 5 th he answers that the names of all the officers under whom he served whose names he recollects are stated in his declaration. to the 6 th he answers that he never received a discharge from the service. to the 7 th he answers that Rev. Ichabod Ward, Rev. David and Samuel Story Esq. of said town of Norwich are persons to whom he is known in the present neighbourhood, who can testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services in the war of the Revolution.
his Reuben X Godfrey Martin
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid -
Asa Root
Judge of Probate for the District of Norwich. 64
We William Sivesey, a clergyman residing in said town of Norwich and Capt. Samuel Story of said Norwich hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Godfrey, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have served as a seaman in the war of the Revolution.

and that we concur in that opinion
William Livesey
Sworn and subscribed the 23 rd day of August in the year aforesaid
Before me Asa Root Judge of the Court
Samuel Atty
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary seaman in the marine service of the United States, and served as he states. The court also finds that Christopher Vail and Jane Shinnaker whose affidavits are hereto annexed are both credible persons, that their testimony is entitled to credit, and the court further certifies, that it appears to said court that William Livesey who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Norwich aforesaid. And that Capt. Samuel Stoney who has also signed the same is a resident in said town of Norwich and is a credible person - and that their statement is entitled to credit -
Asa Root.
Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich
I James Holbrook Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Godfrey for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of office, this 23 rd day of August A.D. 1836.
J. Holbrook
Clerk

Invalid Rev WIDOW, &c.
Navy
File No. 15752
Reuben Godfrey Mariner In the "Warren" Enniscorthy Rev Ward
Act June 7. 1832
Index: Vol. 4 , Page 15
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Geo Hill
27 Oct 1840

Connecticut,
Rev.
Reuben Godfrey Susp.
Rejected
Sub. let to George
Hill Esq. 30 Aug
1836 - Do. to same Nov. 26,
1836 -
Hon. L. Dugham Feb. 11, '38
to same 12. April '38,

I Jane Skinner of the town and county of New London and State of Connecticut, testify and say that in the war of the Revolution, Reuben Godfrey, now of the town of Norwich in said county, came from Nantucket -et in the State of Massachusetts, and entered on Board the State ship Oli- ver Cromwell then in the harbour of said New London, which ship belonged to the State of Connecticut and was commanded by Capt William Boit, I don't know the precise time said Godfrey served on board said ship, but the ship lay in the Port of New London for a long time time; said Godfrey married a rela- tion of mine while he belonged to said ship, I remember said Godfrey belonged to said ship a considerable time before he was married, that he belonged to said ship when he was married, and think he continued on board as long as Capt W. Boit commanded that ship, and further said I am now seventy five years old, I knew said Godfrey for many years
Jane Skinner
State of Connecticut, New London county ss. September 12 th 1834 Personally appeared Mrs Jane Skin- ner, known to me to be a woman of respectabil- ity and entitled to credit, and made oath to the truth of the above and foregoing deposition or affidavit by her subscribed, before me Geo. Bell Justice of Peace

I, Christopher Vail of Norwich in the County of New London and State of Connecticut of lawful age, Depose and say that I entered or enlisted to go on Board of the Rolla Frigate at New London in Connecticut in the year 1777 and from New London walked to Boston to go on board the Rolla, But the Rolla not being ready, we went on Board the Warren Frigate of 32 guns. John Hopkins Commander, and sailed on a cruise and was out about four months and took two prises during the cruise, and then returned to Boston and was discharged — Joshua Hempsted was boatswain  Sailing Master of the ship — and Joseph Shields was Boatswain of the ship — Reuben Godfrey is an inhabitant of the city of Norwich and as far as I know is a man sustaining a good moral character. And further the Deponent saith not.
Christopher Vail
New London County ss. Norwich August 20th A.D. 1836 Personally appeared before me Christopher Vail who hath subscribed the foregoing deposition and after being examined & cautioned to speak the whole truth made solemn oaths to the truth of the same in due form of law before me,
Isa Roath
Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } New London County } for I John D'Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that George Hillis before whom the written deposition of Jane Skin- ner was taken was on the 12 th day of Sep r 1834 a Jus- tice of the peace in & for New London County and that his signature there written is genuine and further that Asa Root Esq r before whom the deposition of Christopher Vail was taken was on said 20 th day of August 1836 a Justice of the peace in and for said New Lon- don County and that his signature there writ- ten is genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 23 rd day of August 1836 John D'Witt Clerk

33.829.
Reuben Godfrey
Admitted
Mariner on board of the Warren 4 mo & 2 months on board of the Pennswell—
6 months Seaman
Hon Saml Ingham
House Reps
US

I Reuben Godfrey of the City of Norwich State of Connecticut in addition to my declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 and additional declarations thereto, further declare that at the time I enlisted to serve on board the Ship Oliver Cromwell as stated in my said declaration, Capt William Bait, who commanded the Oliver Cromwell, came to the Island of Nantucket where I then lived to enlist men for the Cromwell. I there enlisted for numbers of my friends also enlisted with me to serve on board the Oliver Cromwell. we went to New London and joined the Ship commenced our service on board. I enlisted on board the Cromwell for no certain time, I enlisted to go to sea in the Ship, no specific time was fixed or agreed on. When Capt Wm Bait was discharged from the command of the Cromwell, he called all hands together and stated to them that he was discharged from the command of the Ship and that they were at liberty to leave the Ship if they wished to leave her, but that if they wished to continue on board the Ship with Capt Harden they could do so, most of the people left the Ship, I continued on board the Ship as stewards mate under Capt Harden as stated in my declaration, I agreed with Capt Harden to stay on board the Cromwell for such time only as I wished when ever I could suit myself better I had a right to leave the Ship, the Ship lay in the harbour of New London, had not been to sea for I was not willing to continue longer on board in such situation, my wife was sick so I left the Cromwell after having served on board her as stated in my declaration. There was a circumstance that place while I served on board the Cromwell which may tend to show I belonged to the Ship and served on board her. Several young men, (I think three or four) came from the town of Stonington a town a few miles east of New London and enlisted or shipped to serve on board the Cromwell when these young men were called for to come on board the Ship they offered substitutes, but Capt Bait would not consent to accept the substitutes until the young men who had enlisted came on board the Ship themselves they were obliged to come on board & appear

before capt. bait, who gave them very severe lecturing, and accepted their substitutes, permitted the young men to go home, this is a circumstance of which I have a clear recollection. I well remember a cabard or mulatto man on board the Cromwell by the name of William or Will. I agiss and think he was a substitute for one of the young men from Stonington as stated above. I do not remember the names of the young men who enlisted from Stonington as above stated, but I well remember that capt bait talked to them very severely
Reuben Godfrey
State of Connecticut New London County ss Feb. 27 th 1838. Personally appeared Reuben Godfrey and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit before him subscribed before me - J. S. Bill Justice of Peace
I David Sprink of the city of New London and State of Connecticut aged eighty seven years depose and say that during the war of the Revolution I was an inhabitant of the town of Stonington in said State, of which town I was a native. I was well acquainted with capt William bait, who commanded the ship Oliver Cromwell, which ship lay for a long time in the harbour of New London under the command of said capt. While said capt was in command of said ship, as aforesaid there was a very heavy draft made from the militia to join the main Army, three young men of my neighbours were drafted from the militia to join the Army, their names were Phineas Munsell, John Grant & Nehemiah Williams, said Munsell was a brother in law of mine & the other two were my neighbours, all were married men & industrious farmers, these three young men ascertained that by shipping on board the Oliver Cromwell they could get clear of said draft from the militia and have time to get in their harvest before they should be called for to go to sea in the ship Cromwell, as they were not bound to go on board the Cromwell till notified they were wanted. These young men were notified that they must be on board the Cromwell on a given day. These young men had never been to sea, they hired three substitutes to take their places on board the Cromwell, two

of whom, William Spagins & Rebez both Indians Lewis, were first rate seamen, the third Joseph Hewitt had been at some, at sea, these three young men applied to me to come to New London to see Capt Bait of the Brom- well, to see if he would not take these three sub- stitutes and release them, Capt Bait knew all these substitutes and that two of them were first rate sea- men, I came to Capt Bait who said he would take the substitutes, but not until the three young men who had shipped, should come on board the Bromwell and present themselves to him on board the ship, I sent for the young men & they came over, Capt Bait gave them a severe lecture, then accepted the substitutes and discharged the young men, Capt Bait gave lecture them with great severity on the subject of their want of patriot- ism.
David Grink
State of Connecticut New London County ss. July 28 th 1838. Personally appeared known to me to be a credible person entitled to credit David Grink Esq, subscriber to the above foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same before me Geo. Hill Justice of Peace
I Geo. Hill of the City of Norwich, County of New London & State of Connecticut, depose and say, that at sundry times, since Richard Godfrey has been endeavouring to obtain a pension, I have heard him relate the circumstances respecting the persons who came from Stonington and shipped on board the Oliver Bromwell, that when they were called for to come on board the Bromwell, they offered substitutes, some of whom were seamen & worth more on board the Bromwell than the men who had shipped or enlisted, but that Capt William Bait the commander of the ship Oliver Bromwell would not accept the substitutes, unless the men who had shipped, first came on board the ship Bromwell & presented themselves to him Capt Bait on board the ship that these men who had so shipped to serve on board the Bromwell, came on board the ship & presented themselves to Capt Bait, who talked to them and lectured them very severely on the subject of their shipping tags to sea in the Bromwell and then through want of patriotism to abandon the project and cowardly withdrew themselves.

When I heard the above circumstances related by Reuben Godfrey in relating the incidents connected with his service on board the Oliver Cromwell, I knew not that any person living had any knowledge of the facts and circumstances connected with the enlistment of the Stonington men as related by Mr David Frink, except Godfrey alone, Godfrey in relating the circumstances connected with the enlistment of the Stonington men connected with the enlistment of the Stonington men was much more particular in relating circumstances than he has been in his affidavit above, his now confined to his bed his extremity infirm - I was at court at New London when before about the middle of the last month and boarded at the house of Mr David Frink, who by mere accident, in speaking of the ship Oliver Cromwell, without any mention of Godfrey related related the circumstances relating to the Stonington men as stated in his affidavit above. Believing that Mr Frink's relation proved incontrovertibly that Reuben Godfrey must have served on board the Oliver Cromwell at the time of the enlistment of the Stonington men and at the time they were ordered on board and came on board the Cromwell by order of Capt. Lait and were reprimanded by Capt. Lait and their substitutes were accepted, I went to Godfrey without naming to him that Mr Frink had made any statement to me on the subject, took his above affidavit, which is much less full and minute than his former statements to me. I further desire, that no person can be found living, who was on board the Oliver Cromwell at the time Reuben Godfrey claims to have served on board that ship, the most diligent enquiry and search have been made with no success nor probability of success, they are all dead.
Geo. Hill
2
State of Connecticut } New London County } ss March 19 1838
Then personally appeared Geo Hill esq and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true before me
John D. Will Justice of the Peace
(H)
The J. Brigham - R.R.

I Reuben Godfrey of Norwich, County of New London and State of Connecticut, having made my declaration for a pension under the laws of Congress of 7 th June 1832. (Positively on oath and as confirmatory of my said decla- ration, declare that I did truly serve as is set forth and detailed in said declaration, and in addition thereto declare that one reason why the witness who served on board the Warren at the time I served on board that ship, did not remem- ber that I was on board that ship at that time, that I belonged to the main top of the ship lived in the top and eat & slept in the top and was never on deck except ordered down from the top on duty, I was in a condition that I could not be known to the crew nor could they be known to me. and as to my service on board the Oliver Brownwell it is truly detailed in my declaration, ac- cording to the facts of my service and Mrs Skinner has testified to her knowledge of my belonging to the Brownwell though she could not testify as to the length of the time of my service on board that ship.

Mrs Skinner is a highly respectable woman. There is no person living who belonged to that ship to my knowledge. I could state many circumstances connected with my service on board the Brownell in addition to those stated in my declaration as confirmatory of the truth of my declaration, one circumstance is well known in this part of the country, that Capt. Wm Bait when he commanded that ship first used it with one of the guns shot, that the gun was depressed, the shot struck the water, then rose destroyed the mast of a Schooner lying at the wharf, went into a house & came near killing a man. The ball could not be extracted, Capt Bait ordered the gunner to depress the gun & let the ball go into the water, the gunner told Capt Bait the ball would rise and probably do mischief, the Schute was in honor of some Indian chiefs who had arrived at New London and visited the ship and fort, I did truly and honestly serve as stated the full term of time alleged in my declaration and having proved by Mrs Skinner that I did serve on board the Brownell, my testimony to the length of time I served ought to be held sufficient.
Wm Bait Capt
Frederick Godfrey
State of Connecticut ss. Personally appeared New London County ss. Frederick Godfrey and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit before me Geo. Hill Justice of Peace

Oct 18
FREE
Quincy Springfield
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington
ct.

Norwalk Conn. 14 October 1838
Sir, I recd a communication from you on the subject of the application of Reuben Godfrey for a pension, that it appeared from documents at Washington that the Ship Oliver Cromwell, on board of which Godfrey claimed to have served was a privateer, that on a pension was not allowed for service on board such a vessel - The Oliver Cromwell on board which Reuben Godfrey served, was a State Ship built and commissioned by the State of Connecticut and was in the service of the United States, was a twenty gun ship, and had a very severe battle with an English ship of twenty eight guns and would have taken her, but for the coming up of a seventy four or frigate, which took the Cromwell, the Cromwell was at the time of her capture commanded by Timothy Parker of this town, a very brave man - I have conversed with the late Comptroller of this State, Roger Huntington who informs me that the Ship Oliver Cromwell appears at the Comptrollers office of this State, to be a State Ship - he named all her commanders, Wm. Beek, Com. Seth Hurd & Timothy Parker, he also stated that there was a person from the pension office who examined her papers - I knew she was a State Ship in Continental service, Very respectfully George Geo. Hill

I William Wheat of the Town and County of New London, State of Connecticut, of the age of Seventy Seven Years, do depose and say That I was well acquainted with Mr Reuben Godfrey that we lived together as Neighbours for several years, I was personally acquainted with him at the time he was a Sailor on Board the States Ship Oliver Bromwell Captain William Best Commander, And we worked together for several years after he left the Ship I was also well acquainted with his wife whose maiden name was Elizabeth Belfinch and at the time of his Marriage he was a Sailor on board of the Ship Oliver Bromwell I was not myself in the service but had frequent conversations with Mr Godfrey during the time that we laboured together and am quite certain that Mr Godfrey was in the service and on board the Ship Oliver Bromwell Nine or ten months
Dated at New London the 7 th day of October A D 1840
William his Wheat mark
In presence of Abel Hoxie
Isaac D. Wood
New London County ss New London October 7 th 1840
Personally appeared William Wheat signer of the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me Abel Hoxie Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that William Wheat the signer of the above Deposition is a Man of truth and of good Moral Character
Abel Hoxie Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } New London County } ss I John D e Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that Abel S. Linsley Esq. before whom the within deposition of William Wheat was taken Sworn was on said 7 th day of October 1840 and still is a Justice of the peace for said New London County and that his signature thereto affixed is genuine — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 9 th day of October A.D. 1840.
John D e Witt Clerk

Reuben Godfrey of Norwich, New London Co. State of Connecticut, in addition to my declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, no record file in the pension office at Washington, by way of supplementary declaration states that all the facts as detailed in said original declaration are perfectly correct and true, that the Ship Oliver Cromwell while I belonged to her & served on board of her, once attempted to get to sea from the harbor of New London, while she was under the command of Capt William Lait, the Ship was overspared and before she got to sea, she capsized, shifted her cargo, returned to New London and her masts were shortened, which detained her along time in port, while I served on board said Ship and said boat commanded her, several Indian Chiefs visited the forts at New London and with Gov. Trumbull, Capt Lait invited them to visit the Ship Oliver Cromwell, and a salute was ordered by Capt Lait to be fired when they came on board the Ship, the gun of the Ship being shot the balls were drawn except the ball of one gun which could not be drawn, the Capt Lait ordered the muzzled that gun to be depressed to discharge it in firing the salute, the gunner informed Capt Lait that the ball when it struck the water would rise and on the Ship lay broadside to the town, the ball would probably do mischief, Capt Lait ordered that gun with the others of the Ship to be dischar- ged

a gun was discharged, when the shot struck the water it rose, passed through the second story of a house near to a woman in a chamber I seemed much alarmed; this is a circumstance connected with my service on board the Cromwell, known to all the subscribers of the then inhabitants of New London - on another occasion last boat ordered a shot gun to be discharged in a similar way, the ball rose, when it struck the water passed through the mast of a Schooner lying at the wharf and came near killing several men on board the Schooner and on the wharf. While I was serving as aforesaid on board the Cromwell, a detachment was sent from the Ship, of which I was a member, to Fisher's Island to prevent the British stealing cattle from that Island, and we had a fight with the British - The reason why Christopher Tait, whose affidavit is with the evidence in support of my declaration, does not remember me to have been on board of the Ship Warren with him, probably is, that he may have forgotten me from length of time, and also from my being stationed in the top and being there most of the time and slept feet there. Having my chest there, I was not known to the men who were stationed on deck, nor did I know the men serving on deck.
Reuben Godfrey
State of Connecticut New London County ss January 31 st 1838 Personally appeared Reuben Godfrey made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration before me Geo. Hill Justice of Peace

I Elizabeth Beckwith of the town and county of New London and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I was well acquainted with Reuben Godfrey during the war of the Revolution at said New London, he married a woman at said New London, whom I knew, during the war of the Revolution, the precise year, I do not remember, it was a number of years before the burning of New London by Arnold, at the time of the marriage of said Godfrey he belonged to the Ship Oliver Cromwell then lying in the harbor of said New London, I understood that said Ship at that time was commanded by Capt William Scott of said New London whom I knew for many years afterwards, at said New London, said Godfrey came to New London from Nantucket, there were a number of men, who came from Nantucket with said Godfrey, who enlisted on board the Ship Oliver Cromwell; the length of time said Godfrey belonged to the Oliver Cromwell I do not know, I was seventy four years old last Febry. 1837.
Elizabeth Beckwith
State of Connecticut New London county ss. Sept 22 d 1837. Personally appeared Mrs Elizabeth Beckwith known to me to be a person entitled to credit & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me Geo. Hall Justice of Peace

I Jason Chapman of the town of Water- ford and county of New London and State of Connecticut of lawful age do here and say, that I am about seventy five years of age, that I was well acquainted with Reuben Godfrey at New London in said county and State, my acquaintance with said Godfrey commenced about the close of the war of the Revolution, that said Godfrey worked for my father soon after the close of the war of the Revolution, for the term of about a year, I then under- stood that said Godfrey had been in the sea service during the war of the Revolution, I have been much acquaint- -ted with said Godfrey and believe him to be a man of good character entitled to credit that his declarations are en- -titled to credit further with not Jason Chapman
State of Connecticut New London ss September 22 d 1837.
Personally appeared Jason Chapman known to me to be a person entitled to credit & made out to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed before me J. H. Hill Justice of Peace

Oct 13-15-2 Newbern Feb 1835
Mr. Ingham of the H of R. transmits To Mr. Saunders the written papers. Feb 6. 1835—
Haslam Ingham H R

I Benjamin S. Godfrey of the town of Nor- wich County of New London and State of Con- necticut, aged fifty seven years, depose and say, that I am the son of Reuben Godfrey of said Norwich, who is now making application for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, that I was born at New London in said County in Dec r 1780. where I lived with my father till I was about ten years old, when my father moved to Hebron in Connecticut. my mother has been dead about eight years, and my father has lived with me has been supported by me, for about five years. And from my earliest remembrance I heard my father and mother converse on the subject of his services in the war of the Revolution, and while we lived at New Lon- don I remember to have often heard my father converse with divers persons of New London about his services in the war of the Revolution, and from that time to the present, I have very frequently heard my father talk with divers persons about his services in the war of the Revolution, and uniformly when he met any of his old acquaintances connected with the war of the Revolution, it was his constant habit to talk over his experience & services in that war. I have heard my father relate at divers times to divers persons while we lived at New London and since, that he came from Nantucket and to New London and entered on board the Ship Oliver Cromwell by enlistment, and that he served on board that Ship about eleven months & that the Ship was commanded by Capt William Bait most of the time of his service on board that Ship, that Capt Bait was dis- charged from the command of said Ship, and

Capt Harden was appointed to the command of that ship, under whom he served for a short time making in the whole something short of a year. I have heard both him and my mother often relate all the particulars of my father's serving on board the Oliver Cromwell. I have frequently, from my earliest remembrance, heard my father relate the circumstances of his service on board the Ship Warren, from Boston to go on board that ship New London to Boston, that he served on board the Warren as a topsman, that while on board that ship they took several prizes, one of which was recaptured & carried into New York, I have also heard my mother speak of my father's absence from home at the time he was on board the Ship Warren. Benjamin Godfrey
State of Connecticut New London County ss Feb 1 st 1838. Personally appeared Benjamin S. Godfrey and made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me - Geo. Hill Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut } New London County } ss I John D'Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that George Hill Esq - before whom the Annexed depositions were taken & sworn to. viz Elisa beth Beckwith & Benjamin Godfrey - and also before whom the supplemental declaration of Reu- ben Godfrey hereto annexed was sworn to - so as at the several dates thereof and still is a justice of the peace for said New London County & that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such, and that his signature to them severally affixed is genuine In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 2 nd day of February A D 1838 John D'Witt Clerk.

Comptroller's Office Watford June 6 1839
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Reuben Godfrey who claims service in the War of the Revolution Naval on Board ship Oliver Cromwell - I find in this Office "A List of Marines that have and do belong to the ship Oliver Cromwell. William Court Esq Commander - Among the List of 70 Men that of Reuben Godfrey appears no date to this list but is filed July 25 1777 Capt William Court's Return List of Men on Board ship Oliver Cromwell - And on one other paper Headed a List of Officers Seamen & Marines I find enrolled with 240 names that of Reuben Godfrey no date appears on this list but is filed July 1777 a List of Seamen on Board the ship Oliver Cromwell for Capt Court
Mary Nicholson Comptroller

Ben Godfrey
July 76 } 10 boat O'Connell
(2) { 1 Bill Harding
{ never went to sea to he left after 11 mo of work Ship lay in Wharton Harbor
77 ————— Rolla
(1) 7 mo. Warren Hopkins
(1) Vast says 4 mo
(1) list of names filed in the Comp Off 25/16 77. re del to enlist. Godfrey on the list

Aug 29.
FREE
Wash.
J. L. Edwards Esq r Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

Norwich (Conn) Augt 24 th 1836
Sir, Please have the goodness to communicate with me on the subject of the Pension of Reuben Godfrey, whose papers for a pension are enclosed Very respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Geo. Hill

Washington April 21. 1838.
Sir
Your note to me some days since, offering a small pension to Reuben Godfrey. I am authorized by Mr. Godfrey to accept your proposition and I would thank you for the Certificate as soon as convenient.
I sent you, probably within the last month or six weeks, the application of William Lord. The given name I do not recollect. Within a few days, I think I have received an answer from you respecting the case, suspending, or rejecting it, which answer, I believe I have sent to the wrong person. I wish therefore you would furnish me with a copy of it. The papers were probably made out before the Court of Probate for the City of New Bedford of which Ob. Spencer is Judge. The name of S. W. Stanley may appear upon them as Justice.
Respectfully Yours
Ob. S p
Samuel Englin
Honble. J. S. Salisbury